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| Arsenic levels high in Simnasho water sources |
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By Holly M. Gill
Natural is not always better some residents of Simnasho are discovering.
Arsenic, from the breakdown of volcanic rock, has been found in the water from three wells that supply about 80 homes in Simnasho -- in Wasco County -- on the northern portion of the Warm Springs Reservation.
"Where we have our wells situated in Simnasho, the levels are a little high," said Roy Spino, who is in charge of water supplies for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Since 1971, the community's water has come from the three wells, all located within about 100 yards of each other.
Spino noted that the level of arsenic in the water is about 22 parts per billion -- more than twice the level allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA reduced the maximum contaminant level from 50 ppb to 10 ppb in 2001, he explained.
A colorless, tasteless semi-metal, arsenic has been linked to some cancers -- bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate. It can also cause "thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; diarrhea; numbness in hands and feet; partial paralysis; and blindness," according to information from the EPA's Web site.
By 2002, the tribes had hired Arasmith Consulting Resources, of Albany, to produce a report, and the following year, Lee Engineering, of Oregon City, delivered a report on possible treatment methods.
In the meantime, Spino said they learned that some treatment methods used in other areas were not working as well as expected, so to buy more time, the tribes have decided on a temporary plan.
"Our short-term solution is we're providing bottled water to the residents of Simnasho," he said. Each of the 80 households -- a total of about 200 residents -- is entitled to five 5-gallon containers of bottled water each month.
The tribes' arrangement with the Earth2O water bottling plant in Culver will cost it about $50,000 per year, until the tribes complete a final study, which Spino estimates will take about six months.
The tribes will be looking for the most cost-effective solution, he said. "Do we continue to use the well source, do we blend with the Beaver Creek surface water, or do we go with a surface water treatment plan on Beaver Creek?" he asked.
Building a filter system and disposing of arsenic could be expensive. "We have to get studies done so we can go out and apply for funding to deal with it," he said.
The EPA has granted the tribes an extension to 2015 to upgrade its water system to comply with the 10 ppb standard.
Reaction from Simnasho residents has been mixed. "Some of the community residents wanted to know `Why weren't we informed,'" Spino said, pointing out that the tribes first informed residents about the arsenic in 1999.
"To alleviate fears, we're getting information out about what arsenic is, what's happening," he said.
He recommended the EPA Web site, epa.gov/safewater/arsenic, for more information.
Tribal representatives have attended general council meetings in Simnasho, he said, as well as posted information at the Three Warriors Market, the longhouse, and the fire hall.
Although he doesn't know of anyone who has suffered ill effects from the water, longtime resident Jay Suppah, who grew up in Simnasho and moved back about 15 years ago, is taking advantage of the tribes' offer of bottled water.
"We're using it," he said, noting that he received his first delivery of bottled water last week. "My sister, brothers and mother got them, too."
Suppah wants to be on the safe side, he said. "If it was something that was close to what was acceptable I might not be concerned, but it's kind of high."
Another resident, who did not want to be identified, declined the water for his family, and is perfectly satisfied with the quality of the well water.
"Once we explain that you can still shower, use (the water) for daily uses, and even drink it," Spino said, "then most of them are pretty relaxed about it."
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